World of Ease

Not long ago Michelin Tire Company began selling their new Protek Max bicycle inner tubes. What’s different about the Michelin’s new Protek Inner Tubes is that they have a unique design which Michelin claims will reduce the chance of losing air pressure from punctures. Despite the fact that Continental released their ContiSeal tires that contain a fluid which permanently seals punctures up to 5mm in diameter in early 2008, the Protek Max Inner Tubes still represent a huge breakthrough for the industry.

Like many achievements Michelin’s latest success is built upon the work of others; Michelin has taken the best aspects of run-flat tires and Continental’s ContiSeal tires and combined it to form their Protek Max Inner Tubes.

The new Protek Inner Tubes are designed with textured surface which cause it to compress when fully inflated – normal inner tubes expand. Both the outer and inner edge of the the inner tubes are textured: the outer edge features a square shaped texture that helps the tubes properly align with bicycle tires, and the other edge consists of a series of small raised circular bumps. It’s these small circular bumps that cause the air pressure in the inner tube to form a compressive force.. Since the inner tubes are essentially shrinking rather than expanding any existing hole contract rather than enlarge. Additionally, all of the Protek Max Inner Tubes also come with a sealant that spreads out to close any existing puncture holes as well.

While traditional auto tires don’t have inner tubes like bicycle tires perhaps Michelin can still bring this technology over to standard vehicle tires one day. If Michelin were to adapt standard tires with the Protek Max technology then it’s likely that it could still be found in relatively cheap tires, as it only seems to require changing the tread, or lining, of the tire instead of implementing a completely new manufacturing process. Lastly, Michelin also claims that their new inner tubes are capable of maintaining regular pressure (i.e not leaking) longer than standard inner tubes. Michelin’s ProTek Max Inner Tubes are on sale now for about $9 for standard sized bicycle tires.

Via Michelin & GizMag

Photos by David Huang and jeff_golden

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